Dr.Stephen G. Dunbar was the President of the International Sea Turtle Society for the 2024 International Sea Turtle Symposium held in Thailand.

42nd Annual Internation Sea Turtle Society Symposium. 24 - 29 March, 2024. Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya,Thailand

Find the Official 42nd Annual Internation Sea Turtle Society Symposium Conferences Proceedings here

Conference Abstracts 2024

Dunbar, S. G. Biological Foundations of Mangrove Ecology: Diversity and Function. 2nd International Conference on Mangroves for Sustainability-ICMS 2024. 22 – 24 July 2024. Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Chelsea E. Clyde-Brockway, Quintin D. Bergman, Daniel R. Evans, Lindsey Eggers, Luis G. Fonseca, Frank V. Paladino, Dunbar, S. G. 2024 Inter-Nesting Area Use, Migratory Routes, and Foraging Grounds for Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Western Caribbean Ocean. 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. 24 – 29 March, 2024. Pattaya, Thailand.

Worata Klinsawat, Sanit Piyapattanakorn, Preechayada Thaengthong, Thanida Haetrakul, Nitiwadee Keschumras, Sirawich Srisiri, Thanaphan Chomcheun, Oranee Jongkolpath, Nantarika Chansue, Dunbar, S. G. Genetic diversity and phylogeographic patterns of mtDNA haplotypes of Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Thailand. 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. 24 – 29 March, 2024. Pattaya, Thailand. 

Gammariello, Robert T., Green, Camar, Dunbar, S. G. 2024. Detection thresholds for visual light in Eretmochelys imbricata hatchlings. 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. 24 – 29 March, 2024. Pattaya, Thailand. 

Sean T. Richards, Thanaphan Chomcheun, Thanida Haetrakul, Sirawich Srisiri, Nitiwadee Keschumras, Nantarika Chansue, William Hayes, Dunbar, S.G. 2024. Heavy metal accumulation in captive-reared sea turtles at a Gulf of Thailand sanctuary. 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. 24 – 29 March, 2024. Pattaya, Thailand. 

Rangsima Sujittosakul, Sittiruk Roytrakul, Siriwan Thaisakun, Ekarit Duangmala, Watchara Sakornwimon, Kirsty Magson, Patcharaporn Kaewmong, Dunbar, S.G., Thanida Haetrakul. 2024. Heavy metal accumulation in captive-reared sea turtles at a Gulf of Thailand sanctuary. 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. 24 – 29 March, 2024. Pattaya, Thailand. 

Conference Pictures

	Prior to the ISTS, Dunbar and his Thai Team of Symposium organizers met several times over two years with Pattaya City Mayor, Mr. Poramese Ngampiches (center) and his team. The Mayor and his office provided amazing support for the symposium to take place in Pattaya City,a nd even arranged for bus transportation from and to Bangkok's main international airport.		A view of the Pattaya beachfront from our hotel venue for the 42nd ISTS at Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya. The General manager, Mr. Thomas Christiansen, and his staff, including Amy and Som, assisted us at every step to make the hotel venue the perfect location for the Symposium gathering of nearly 600 attendees. Attendees continually commented on the beauty of the hotel and the surroundings of the city.
	Inside the Hotel, it was very evident that the ISTS was in session from the monitors displaying Symposium supporter logos.		The pools of the Dusit Thani Hotel provided opportunities for relaxing in between daily Symposium sessions.
	During one of the workshop events prior to the official start of the Symposium, attendees gathered to discuss workshop topics on everything from the use of drones in sea turtle research, GIS in conservation efforts, and even sessions on art and education outreach as tools to engage communities in conservation initiatives.		Mr. Nick Blume (ISTS Treasurer) accepting registrants at the registration desk at the start of the symposium.
	Stephen G. Dunbar (L) and team member, Dr. Nantarika Chansue (R), meet Admiral Suwin Jaengyodsuk, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Navy, who attended the Symposium's openng ceremonies.		Pattaya Mayor, Ngampiches (L), Thanida Haetrakul, special honored guest and representative for Her Highness, Princess Sirivannavari, Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Steve, and Ms. Preeyaporn Suwannakes, Director General of the Department of Pollution, all gathering for the formal opening ceremonies of the Symposium.
	A very high event, the opening ceremonies, with it's dignitaries and splendor, was a fitting occassion for the start of the 42nd International Sea Turtle Symposium. This was the first time for the Symposium to be held in Thailand, and only the second time for the event to be held in SE Asia.		A group picture of the International Sea Turtle Society family on opening day of the Symposium. With nearly 600 members in attendance, it was the perfect and exciting start to the event.
	Steve's long-time friend and encourager, Dr. Jeff Seminoff, provided the opening Keynote address, outlining a history of the International Sea Turtle Society, emphasizing some of the ways the Society has grown and changed over the past five decades. His emphasis on relationships among colleagues and friends was truly inspiting.		The Thai government departments of Marine and Coastal Resources, Fisheries, the Royal Thai navy, and others, presented hallway displayes of their areas of work and research. During one of the workshop days, an excursion to the Sattahip Sea Turtle Center was arranged for attendees. A special presentation was provided by the Royalk Thai Navy at the Center, and a focus group workshop discussing captive rearing of sea turtles was also provided.
	There was excelleng global representation of people from around the world, all working on various aspects of sea turtle research and conservation. These attedees from Saudi Arabia were very pleased to be part of the Symposium program, and enjoyed the discussions around posters and session presentations.		Program Coordinator, Kelly Stewart, and The Hawksbill Project Director, Scott Eanes at the Society
	President Dunbar presents Thanida Haetrakul with an award for her part in helping in organizing the 42nd ISTSS as part of the Thai Orgnaizing Team.		The Dusit Thani Hotel provided luxury views of Pattay Beach and the city from every floor.
	Honored guests at the Opening ceremonies of the ISTSS.		Undergraduate student from Asia-Pacific International University excitedly describes how she received funding to attend the ISTS.
	Loma Linda University graduate students, Robert Gammariello and Sean Richards take a moment to relax during the Closing Banquet.		Here, President Dunbar awards Srisiri Sirawhich a commendation for his part in organizing the 42nd ISTSS as part of the Thai Orgnaizing Team.
	Master auctioneer, Rod Mast, at the live auction.		Steve with Daniela Freggi (L), Sabine Dunbar, and John Bonardelli (R).
	.Loma Linda University PhD. Students,. Robert Gammariello, Sabine and Steve Dunbar, ProTECTOR, Inc. Honduras Country Director, Lidia Salinas and LLU Masters students, Sean Richards and Stephanie Molina.		Members of the Thai Organizing Team aith Steve, Sean Richards, and Robert Gammariello.
	Steve with participant Dr. Supraja Dharini from India, as well as Mike Dunbar (L) and Sabine Dunbar (R).		Steve seeing buses of attendees off at the end of the symposium.